Emotional Intelligence and Employee Productivity in the Nigerian Banking Sector: Evidence from United Bank for Africa Branches in Makurdi Metropolis

This study examines the impact of emotional intelligence (EI) on employee productivity in branches of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) located within the Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. Despite the banking sector’s critical role in national development, limited research has examined EI’s relevance in Nigerian commercial banks. Using a survey research design, data were collected from 82 UBA employees through structured questionnaires measuring four EI dimensions (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management) and their impact on productivity. Multiple regression analysis revealed a strong positive relationship (R = 0.777) between EI dimensions and employee productivity, with EI explaining 60.4% of productivity variation. All four EI dimensions demonstrated significant effects on productivity (p < 0.05), with self-management showing the strongest impact (β = 0.521). The findings confirm that emotional intelligence significantly enhances employee productivity in the banking sector, supporting theoretical frameworks from Bar-On's Trait Model and Expectancy Theory. The study recommends that UBA and similar institutions implement EI-focused training programs, prioritize EI assessment during recruitment, and develop strategies to strengthen employees' emotional competencies to improve productivity and service quality in Nigeria's competitive banking industry.